Nigerian remanded in Ghana over alleged plot to rob banks

A Nigerian national, Okechukwu Augustine, has been remanded by the Circuit Court in Ghana over his alleged involvement in a foiled bank robbery plot.

Mr Augustine was remanded on Monday and is expected to reappear before the court on Wednesday.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Augustine was arrested last Thursday after the Ghanaian police allegedly foiled a plot to rob three banks, GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank.

The Ghana Police Service (GPS), in a statement shared on X, said that the plot targeted the three bank branches in the Labone area of Accra.

The agency stated that it received intelligence that the robbers were preparing to attack the three banks in Labone at 10.45 am and immediately deployed operatives to the location.

It noted that officials spotted the robbers’ vehicles near the bank upon arrival.

The occupants of one of the cars fled after sighting the police, according to the body.

“The Police gave them a chase and arrested suspect Augustine Okechukwu Maazi. The other occupant, however, escaped. The robbers in the second vehicle also tried to escape amidst firing,” the GPS wrote.

“The Police engaged them in a shoot-out, resulting in the death of two suspects.

“Police also recovered two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander vehicle with registration number GS- 1434-18, a Hyundai Tucson vehicle with registration number GS 7915-17 and a blow pistol,” it added.

READ ALSO: NetNaija CEO arraigned over alleged copyright infringement, remanded in Kuje

However, the police account came under scrutiny after GCB Bank denied that its Labone branch was targeted.

In a statement also shared on X shortly after the police announcement, it said, “GCB Bank wishes to clarify that no robbery or attempted robbery took place at our Labone Branch or on the Bank’s premises.

“At no point was the branch breached, and no customer, member of staff, funds or property of the Bank was affected. The Labone Branch remains secure, and customers can continue to conduct their banking transactions with confidence.”